What is the correct procedure for parking a car?
2 Answers
After parking the car in the correct position, first engage the handbrake and straighten the steering wheel. For manual transmission vehicles, shift to neutral gear; for automatic transmission vehicles, shift to P (Park) gear. Then release the brake pedal and check if all four windows are closed, whether the interior lights and headlights are turned off, and if the handbrake warning light is illuminated. After completing these checks, if the vehicle has power-folding side mirrors, fold them in, then turn off the engine and remove the key. Walk around the vehicle to ensure there are no obstructions nearby, then fold the side mirrors, press the lock button, and finally pull the door handle to confirm the vehicle is securely locked.
I've been thinking about parking for over a decade and have a few key points to share. First, press the brake to slow down, straighten the steering wheel as you enter the parking spot, and make sure the wheels are aligned. Once the car is stationary, immediately shift to neutral or park and don't forget to engage the handbrake. Before turning off the engine, confirm all lights are off, especially the high beams to avoid dazzling others. The final step is removing the key and exiting the vehicle. Most importantly, always check your surroundings before getting out—look in the mirrors for pedestrians or bicycles and be cautious when opening doors to avoid collisions. Once, I forgot to straighten my wheels and found my front tires hanging off the curb the next day—it hurt my heart for quite some time. Developing good habits can really save you a lot on repair costs.
